One Path Chapter 1-Crossing Her Path
Title: Crossing Her Path
Author: Lionchilde
Summary: His mouth went dry when she knelt beside him and picked up a second cloth to help. He didn't know what else he'd expected, but her proximity made him feel suddenly flushed...
Rating: G
Length: Around 2000 words
Category: Romance
Pairings/Charaters: Obidala
A/N: One Path Chapter 1. Set during TPM, after Queen Amidala's transport escapes the Trade Federation blockade. Written for scifi_five.
Crossing Her Path
"Shields are up!" Ric Olie announced with a shout. "That little droid did it!"
Obi-Wan felt a surge of relief as the one remaining astromech rolled its way inside and the Naboo punched the thrusters. The queen's transport finally broke through the blockade, and he quickly and carefully brought his emotions under control. There was still an immediate and pressing need to get the transport further out of range of the Trade Federation's ships. Once they were far enough out, Olie began a complete check of the ship's systems, with the Padawan assisting from the copilot's seat.
Once their condition had been fully assessed and options weighed, Olie punched up a star chart, and Obi Wan leaned over it, giving it careful study. "Here, Master," he said with certainty. "Tatooine."
The Naboo, of course, objected, but in the end, Qui-Gon ordered Olie to set course for the desert world. A report was made to the Queen, and the blue-domed R2 unit given over to the ministrations of one of the queen's handmaidens, who was ordered to clean the fellow up.
Padme, the queen had called the girl. Dressed identically to the others, she should have drawn no more of Obi Wan's attention than the rest of them. Yet, he found himself studying her as Captain Panaka and his Master vied for Queen Amidala's approval or dismissal of the plan to set down on Tatooine. The handmaiden remained at her mistress's side, seeming to listen with keen interest to both sides.
"You must trust my judgment, Your Highness," Qui-Gon told her with quiet authority.
"Must I?" asked the queen thoughtfully, her gaze flickering over the faces of her handmaidens as she considered. She looked last at Padme, who suddenly recalled that the queen had given her an order. Nodding slightly, she moved to lead Artoo Detoo away, and Obi Wan caught himself following her with his eyes.
In the end, Amidala supported Qui-Gon's choice, and the spaceport of Mos Espa was identified as the most likely place to find what they needed. After deciding that they should land on the outskirts, Obi-Wan's Master sent him to uncouple the hyperdrive. He found the generator beyond repair and sighed quietly, realizing that he'd best find Qui-Gon before the elder Jedi left. He started back to the cockpit where he'd last seen his teacher, but felt himself pulled in the direction that the queen's handmaiden had gone.
He paused when he found her, frowning at the sight of Jar Jar Binks. He'd thrown the annoying Gugan in the droid storage hold and told him to stay put. Obviously, even those simple instructions were beyond the careless creature's powers of obedience. He cleared his throat, taking a step closer, and Jar Jar whirled around.
"What are you doing out here?" Obi Wan asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Ummmmmmmmmmmm…" the Gungan replied nervously.
Padme frowned and stood up. "He was helping me."
"I'm sorry for you then," Obi Wan said with a snort of laughter.
"What's that supposed to mean?" she demanded.
"I think the droid would be safer out of his reach," he remarked.
"Then I think I understand why you're still a Padawan," the handmaiden said coolly.
"Excuse me?" Obi Wan's eyebrows rose in surprise.
Before Padme could reply, Artoo gave a beep of agreement, and she smirked, glancing over her shoulder at the droid. "Artoo seems to agree," she told the Padawan.
"No accounting for taste," he shrugged.
Padme shook her head and turned back to the Gungan. "Come on, Jar Jar, let's finish…"
Artoo tooted a sharp protest at the mention of continued attention from the Gungan, and it was Obi Wan's turn to smirk. The girl shot him an annoyed look, to which he returned a grin. Then he walked casually over and knelt in front of the droid, picking up the cloth that Padme had dropped. He could feel her eyes on him and sensed her surprise, but kept his gaze studiously on the droid.
His mouth went dry when she knelt beside him and picked up a second cloth to help. He didn't know what else he'd expected, but her proximity made him feel suddenly flushed. He flicked a glance toward her, and she smiled tentatively.
"I'm Padme," she offered.
"Obi Wan," he replied, inclining his head. "Obi Wan Kenobi."
She nodded back, and they worked in companionable silence until Obi Wan felt the familiar presence of his Master and turned, hurrying to his feet. Qui-Gon's eyebrow rose slightly, but he asked only, "Obi Wan. Have you finished with the hyperdrive?"
"Yes, Master," the Padawan nodded. "I was on my way to find you when--"
"I asked him for help," Padme spoke up.
"I see," replied Qui-Gon. Glancing back toward the main cabin to indicate the hyperdrive, he asked, "What did you find?"
"The generator is gone. We will need a new one," reported Obi Wan.
"I thought as much," his Master said, slipping an arm around his shoulders. Qui-Gon led him out of earshot as he added, "We can't risk communication with Coruscant this far out on the edge of the galaxy. It might be intercepted and our position revealed. We'll have to get our own. Don't let anyone send a transmission while I'm gone. Be wary, Obi Wan. I sense a disturbance in the Force."
"I feel it, too, Master," the younger Jedi replied. "I will be careful."
"Good," Qui-Gon turned, striding back toward the others. "Jar Jar. Get ready. You're going with me. The droid as well."
Jar Jar stared at him in disbelief, but the Jedi walked off, unconcerned. The Gungan's expression transformed to one of horror, and he wailed miserably, throwing himself down in front of Obi-Wan.
"Obi-One, sire! Pleeeeeeeease, mesa no go!" he begged.
"Sorry, but Qui-Gon is right. This is a multinational spaceport, a trading center. You'll make him less obvious," Obi Wan told him. Jar Jar's face fell in resignation, and he sighed, getting up to plod back over toward Artoo. The droid beeped and clicked consolingly, and Obi Wan turned his gaze back to Padme as he added softly, "I hope."
She smiled in response, but suddenly excused herself and hurried off. Obi Wan's eyes widened, and he called after her, "Hey, where are you going?"
She halted and spun to face him again, "I--um--have to report to the queen."
***
Dressed in peasant's clothing, Padme raced along with Captain Panaka, who shouted for the disappearing figures of Qui-Gon Jinn, Jar Jar, and Artoo to wait. The group stopped moving and turned, allowing them to catch up. She carefully kept her expression neutral, allowing the captain to do the talking.
"Her Highness commands you to take her handmaiden with you. She wishes for Padme to observe the local--" Panaka began, but the Jedi cut him off.
"No more commands from Her Highness today, Captain," Qui-Gon said with a quick, dismissive shake of his head. "Mos Espa is not going to be a pleasant place for--"
"The queen is emphatic," Panaka insisted. "She wishes to know more about this planet."
Sensing that the Jedi was not going to be swayed, Padme took a step forward. "I've been trained in self defense. I speak a number of languages, and I'm not afraid."
"Don't make me go back and tell her you refuse," Panaka added with a weary sigh.
Qui-Gon studied her for a moment, his expression suddenly unsure. He seemed to consider, and then looked up at the captain with a sigh of his own.
"I don't have time to argue the matter, Captain. I still think this is a bad idea, but she may come," he decided with a nod. Looking back her, he added in a warning tone, "Stay close to me."
Padme had no objection to doing so, and although she wouldn't admit it, she felt more than a bit safer under the dark and watchful gaze of the Jedi Master. He moved with an air of alertness that was reassuring, but without any obvious concern or fear that might attract attention. As they moved through the spaceport of Mos Espa, she found herself listening with rapt attention to his description of Tatooine and its inhabitants. One phrase hung with her, resonating somewhere deep in the young ruler's mind.
…Its few spaceports have become havens for those who do not wish to be found…
"Like us," she remarked.
He gave a small nod of acknowledgement and continued on his way, leading them through the streets to a small salvage shop. She did her best to stay in the background, letting Qui-Gon handle the negotiations with the shop owner, a crass, flitting blue being that she thought she recognized as a Toydarian. Her sharp eyes took in everything though, and she frowned as he shouted toward the yard.
Her jaw tightened, and it was only with great effort that she kept her mouth firmly closed as a small boy raced wildly inside and skidded to a halt at the sight of them. He was obviously frightened, and he flinched as the abrasive insectoid raised a hand.
The shop owner fired a question at him then cut off his response half finished and directed him to watch the store. The boy made no objection, and the Toydarian turned his attention back to Qui-Gon. He ushered the Jedi out back, assuring him that he would be able to find all they needed. Qui-Gon followed, admonishing Jar Jar sharply not to touch anything. The Gungan set down the strange hunk of metal he was holding and stuck out his tongue at the Jedi's back, but as soon as Qui-Gon had disappeared, Jar Jar picked it up again.
Padme quickly noticed that the boy was staring at her and gave him a curious look. He climbed up on an open space on the counter and continued to study her, finally asking in a bemused tone, "Are you an angel?"
***
The wind was picking up speed. It ripped across the desert sands, whipping and cracking through Obi Wan's robes as the Padawan stared off toward Mos Espa. He knew that Qui-Gon would find shelter, but his thoughts returned again to the queen's handmaiden. There was no question in his mind that Padme was brave and spirited. Obi Wan had spent no real time with the rest of Amidala's entourage, but of them he was sure that Padme had to be the best choice for the assignment that Amidala had given her. Yet he couldn't help but question the queen's judgment.
Obviously, Amidala herself could not have gone, and he suspected that Padme was being used as a means of vicarious experience for the isolated ruler. He knew that it was none of his business; the girl was the queen's attendant, and except in the context of some gross injustice, the Jedi Order had no right to interfere with her mistress' treatment of those who served her.
Why did he feel so protective of this girl in any case? He barely knew her, and from what he had been able to discern from her surface thoughts and emotions, she was entirely happy to be sent on this ill-conceived errand. There were also other matters that should be occupying his thoughts at the moment, Obi Wan realized with an inward sigh as Captain Panaka came clanking down the ramp behind him.
"This storm's going to slow them down," he said, allowing more than a little worry into his tone.
"It looks pretty bad," agreed the captain. "We'd better seal up the ship before it gets any worse."
Obi Wan started to agree when a comlink on the captain's belt beeped, drawing both men's attention. Panaka unhooked it and asked, "Yes?"
"We're receiving a message from home," Ric Olie said.
Panaka glanced toward Obi Wan in concern and quickly replied, "We'll be right there."
Author: Lionchilde
Summary: His mouth went dry when she knelt beside him and picked up a second cloth to help. He didn't know what else he'd expected, but her proximity made him feel suddenly flushed...
Rating: G
Length: Around 2000 words
Category: Romance
Pairings/Charaters: Obidala
A/N: One Path Chapter 1. Set during TPM, after Queen Amidala's transport escapes the Trade Federation blockade. Written for scifi_five.
Crossing Her Path
"Shields are up!" Ric Olie announced with a shout. "That little droid did it!"
Obi-Wan felt a surge of relief as the one remaining astromech rolled its way inside and the Naboo punched the thrusters. The queen's transport finally broke through the blockade, and he quickly and carefully brought his emotions under control. There was still an immediate and pressing need to get the transport further out of range of the Trade Federation's ships. Once they were far enough out, Olie began a complete check of the ship's systems, with the Padawan assisting from the copilot's seat.
Once their condition had been fully assessed and options weighed, Olie punched up a star chart, and Obi Wan leaned over it, giving it careful study. "Here, Master," he said with certainty. "Tatooine."
The Naboo, of course, objected, but in the end, Qui-Gon ordered Olie to set course for the desert world. A report was made to the Queen, and the blue-domed R2 unit given over to the ministrations of one of the queen's handmaidens, who was ordered to clean the fellow up.
Padme, the queen had called the girl. Dressed identically to the others, she should have drawn no more of Obi Wan's attention than the rest of them. Yet, he found himself studying her as Captain Panaka and his Master vied for Queen Amidala's approval or dismissal of the plan to set down on Tatooine. The handmaiden remained at her mistress's side, seeming to listen with keen interest to both sides.
"You must trust my judgment, Your Highness," Qui-Gon told her with quiet authority.
"Must I?" asked the queen thoughtfully, her gaze flickering over the faces of her handmaidens as she considered. She looked last at Padme, who suddenly recalled that the queen had given her an order. Nodding slightly, she moved to lead Artoo Detoo away, and Obi Wan caught himself following her with his eyes.
In the end, Amidala supported Qui-Gon's choice, and the spaceport of Mos Espa was identified as the most likely place to find what they needed. After deciding that they should land on the outskirts, Obi-Wan's Master sent him to uncouple the hyperdrive. He found the generator beyond repair and sighed quietly, realizing that he'd best find Qui-Gon before the elder Jedi left. He started back to the cockpit where he'd last seen his teacher, but felt himself pulled in the direction that the queen's handmaiden had gone.
He paused when he found her, frowning at the sight of Jar Jar Binks. He'd thrown the annoying Gugan in the droid storage hold and told him to stay put. Obviously, even those simple instructions were beyond the careless creature's powers of obedience. He cleared his throat, taking a step closer, and Jar Jar whirled around.
"What are you doing out here?" Obi Wan asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Ummmmmmmmmmmm…" the Gungan replied nervously.
Padme frowned and stood up. "He was helping me."
"I'm sorry for you then," Obi Wan said with a snort of laughter.
"What's that supposed to mean?" she demanded.
"I think the droid would be safer out of his reach," he remarked.
"Then I think I understand why you're still a Padawan," the handmaiden said coolly.
"Excuse me?" Obi Wan's eyebrows rose in surprise.
Before Padme could reply, Artoo gave a beep of agreement, and she smirked, glancing over her shoulder at the droid. "Artoo seems to agree," she told the Padawan.
"No accounting for taste," he shrugged.
Padme shook her head and turned back to the Gungan. "Come on, Jar Jar, let's finish…"
Artoo tooted a sharp protest at the mention of continued attention from the Gungan, and it was Obi Wan's turn to smirk. The girl shot him an annoyed look, to which he returned a grin. Then he walked casually over and knelt in front of the droid, picking up the cloth that Padme had dropped. He could feel her eyes on him and sensed her surprise, but kept his gaze studiously on the droid.
His mouth went dry when she knelt beside him and picked up a second cloth to help. He didn't know what else he'd expected, but her proximity made him feel suddenly flushed. He flicked a glance toward her, and she smiled tentatively.
"I'm Padme," she offered.
"Obi Wan," he replied, inclining his head. "Obi Wan Kenobi."
She nodded back, and they worked in companionable silence until Obi Wan felt the familiar presence of his Master and turned, hurrying to his feet. Qui-Gon's eyebrow rose slightly, but he asked only, "Obi Wan. Have you finished with the hyperdrive?"
"Yes, Master," the Padawan nodded. "I was on my way to find you when--"
"I asked him for help," Padme spoke up.
"I see," replied Qui-Gon. Glancing back toward the main cabin to indicate the hyperdrive, he asked, "What did you find?"
"The generator is gone. We will need a new one," reported Obi Wan.
"I thought as much," his Master said, slipping an arm around his shoulders. Qui-Gon led him out of earshot as he added, "We can't risk communication with Coruscant this far out on the edge of the galaxy. It might be intercepted and our position revealed. We'll have to get our own. Don't let anyone send a transmission while I'm gone. Be wary, Obi Wan. I sense a disturbance in the Force."
"I feel it, too, Master," the younger Jedi replied. "I will be careful."
"Good," Qui-Gon turned, striding back toward the others. "Jar Jar. Get ready. You're going with me. The droid as well."
Jar Jar stared at him in disbelief, but the Jedi walked off, unconcerned. The Gungan's expression transformed to one of horror, and he wailed miserably, throwing himself down in front of Obi-Wan.
"Obi-One, sire! Pleeeeeeeease, mesa no go!" he begged.
"Sorry, but Qui-Gon is right. This is a multinational spaceport, a trading center. You'll make him less obvious," Obi Wan told him. Jar Jar's face fell in resignation, and he sighed, getting up to plod back over toward Artoo. The droid beeped and clicked consolingly, and Obi Wan turned his gaze back to Padme as he added softly, "I hope."
She smiled in response, but suddenly excused herself and hurried off. Obi Wan's eyes widened, and he called after her, "Hey, where are you going?"
She halted and spun to face him again, "I--um--have to report to the queen."
***
Dressed in peasant's clothing, Padme raced along with Captain Panaka, who shouted for the disappearing figures of Qui-Gon Jinn, Jar Jar, and Artoo to wait. The group stopped moving and turned, allowing them to catch up. She carefully kept her expression neutral, allowing the captain to do the talking.
"Her Highness commands you to take her handmaiden with you. She wishes for Padme to observe the local--" Panaka began, but the Jedi cut him off.
"No more commands from Her Highness today, Captain," Qui-Gon said with a quick, dismissive shake of his head. "Mos Espa is not going to be a pleasant place for--"
"The queen is emphatic," Panaka insisted. "She wishes to know more about this planet."
Sensing that the Jedi was not going to be swayed, Padme took a step forward. "I've been trained in self defense. I speak a number of languages, and I'm not afraid."
"Don't make me go back and tell her you refuse," Panaka added with a weary sigh.
Qui-Gon studied her for a moment, his expression suddenly unsure. He seemed to consider, and then looked up at the captain with a sigh of his own.
"I don't have time to argue the matter, Captain. I still think this is a bad idea, but she may come," he decided with a nod. Looking back her, he added in a warning tone, "Stay close to me."
Padme had no objection to doing so, and although she wouldn't admit it, she felt more than a bit safer under the dark and watchful gaze of the Jedi Master. He moved with an air of alertness that was reassuring, but without any obvious concern or fear that might attract attention. As they moved through the spaceport of Mos Espa, she found herself listening with rapt attention to his description of Tatooine and its inhabitants. One phrase hung with her, resonating somewhere deep in the young ruler's mind.
…Its few spaceports have become havens for those who do not wish to be found…
"Like us," she remarked.
He gave a small nod of acknowledgement and continued on his way, leading them through the streets to a small salvage shop. She did her best to stay in the background, letting Qui-Gon handle the negotiations with the shop owner, a crass, flitting blue being that she thought she recognized as a Toydarian. Her sharp eyes took in everything though, and she frowned as he shouted toward the yard.
Her jaw tightened, and it was only with great effort that she kept her mouth firmly closed as a small boy raced wildly inside and skidded to a halt at the sight of them. He was obviously frightened, and he flinched as the abrasive insectoid raised a hand.
The shop owner fired a question at him then cut off his response half finished and directed him to watch the store. The boy made no objection, and the Toydarian turned his attention back to Qui-Gon. He ushered the Jedi out back, assuring him that he would be able to find all they needed. Qui-Gon followed, admonishing Jar Jar sharply not to touch anything. The Gungan set down the strange hunk of metal he was holding and stuck out his tongue at the Jedi's back, but as soon as Qui-Gon had disappeared, Jar Jar picked it up again.
Padme quickly noticed that the boy was staring at her and gave him a curious look. He climbed up on an open space on the counter and continued to study her, finally asking in a bemused tone, "Are you an angel?"
***
The wind was picking up speed. It ripped across the desert sands, whipping and cracking through Obi Wan's robes as the Padawan stared off toward Mos Espa. He knew that Qui-Gon would find shelter, but his thoughts returned again to the queen's handmaiden. There was no question in his mind that Padme was brave and spirited. Obi Wan had spent no real time with the rest of Amidala's entourage, but of them he was sure that Padme had to be the best choice for the assignment that Amidala had given her. Yet he couldn't help but question the queen's judgment.
Obviously, Amidala herself could not have gone, and he suspected that Padme was being used as a means of vicarious experience for the isolated ruler. He knew that it was none of his business; the girl was the queen's attendant, and except in the context of some gross injustice, the Jedi Order had no right to interfere with her mistress' treatment of those who served her.
Why did he feel so protective of this girl in any case? He barely knew her, and from what he had been able to discern from her surface thoughts and emotions, she was entirely happy to be sent on this ill-conceived errand. There were also other matters that should be occupying his thoughts at the moment, Obi Wan realized with an inward sigh as Captain Panaka came clanking down the ramp behind him.
"This storm's going to slow them down," he said, allowing more than a little worry into his tone.
"It looks pretty bad," agreed the captain. "We'd better seal up the ship before it gets any worse."
Obi Wan started to agree when a comlink on the captain's belt beeped, drawing both men's attention. Panaka unhooked it and asked, "Yes?"
"We're receiving a message from home," Ric Olie said.
Panaka glanced toward Obi Wan in concern and quickly replied, "We'll be right there."